STROUD’S NO-HITTER HIGHLIGHTS SOFTBALL’S SPLIT WITH SAN DIEGO
4/9/2011
Freshman Taylor Stroud threw Sacramento State's first no-hitter since the 2006 season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State freshman Taylor Stroud tossed her first collegiate no-hitter to lead the Hornets to a 3-2 win over San Diego in the first game of a Pacific Coast Softball Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium. In the second game, the Toreros used a three-run sixth inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit and eventually win, 4-2.
The doubleheader marked the first PCSC games of the season for Sacramento State (9-17, 1-1) and San Diego (11-14, 1-1). Both teams return to Shea Stadium tomorrow for another doubleheader beginning at noon.
Stroud’s no-hitter highlighted the afternoon as the right-hander allowed just one hard-hit ball the entire game, a lineout to left field by Kylie Ordos in the sixth inning. The Santa Rosa, Calif., native walked one, hit a batter and fanned six. San Diego took advantage of three Hornet errors to score both their runs in the fifth inning. Despite the two-run inning, Stroud faced just three batters over the minimum and needed only 75 pitches to pick up her eighth complete game of the season.
The no-hitter was the first by a Sacramento State pitcher since Cassie Cervantes accomplished the feat against Portland State (4-0 win) on May 6, 2006. In addition, it marked the 30th no-hitter thrown by a Hornet pitcher since the program joined the Div. I ranks in 1990.
Stroud improved her record to 5-6 and lowered her team-best ERA to 2.29. Sacramento State scored single runs in the first, third and seventh innings. Sophomore Emily McCormick drove in the first two runs with an RBI-double in the first, and an RBI-triple in the third.
With the score tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Sacramento State received consecutive hits from Megan Schaefer, Marissa Navarro and Yesenia Alcala to begin the inning. It was Alcala’s walk-off single to the wall which allowed pinch runner Jessica Abelia to score easily with the game winner.
Seven Hornet starters had hits in the game, including McCormick who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. San Diego’s Cassidy Coleman (2-4) went the distance in the loss, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out seven in six-plus innings.
In the nightcap, Sacramento State looked to be in control with a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning. However, San Diego sent nine batters to the plate and took advantage of a Hornet throwing error to score three runs. A two-run single by No. 9 hitter Dana Prelsnik proved to be the game-winning hit and gave the Toreros a 4-2 lead. The Hornets threatened in the seventh inning, putting runners at first and second with one out, but San Diego starter Kaitlin Healy got McCormick to fly out deep to right field and Schaefer to pop out.
The Hornets scored a run in the second on an RBI-single from Alcala, and another run in the fifth on an error allowing Alyssa Nakken to score. Sacramento State finished with just four hits off Healy, including a pair from freshman Shannon Kaufman. There were no extra base hits in the game by either team.
Healy (4-4) allowed just four hits and two runs (one earned) while walking five and striking out one over seven innings. Sacramento State used three pitchers, including Schaefer (4.0 innings), Shelby Voelz (2.0 innings) and Jacquelyn Serrano (1.0 inning). Voelz (0-3), who was making her first appearance since March 12 after suffering the effects of a concussion, took the loss.
In other conference action today, Loyola Marymount swept a pair of home games against Saint Mary’s, and Cal State Bakersfield split a doubleheader with Santa Clara.
